Whirlpool Range Bake Element Parts — Models & Compatibility

Your Whirlpool oven won't get above 325 degrees, or you're pulling out half-baked cookies after 20 minutes. The bottom bake element is the heart of your oven's heating system, and when it burns through — usually at one corner — everything falls apart. This hub covers the W10779716 bake element that fits over 150 Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, and Jenn-Air range models.

The W10779716 replaces several part numbers including AP5970727, W10289097, W10774342, and PS11703285. It's a direct OEM-compatible replacement that'll have your oven back to proper preheating in 12-15 minutes.

Is This the Right Part for Your Model?

Your model number is stamped on a metal tag inside the oven door frame (open the door and look along the right or left edge) or on the control panel frame. It'll start with letters like WFE, WEE, or WEC for Whirlpool electric ranges. Cross-reference it against the compatibility list below — this element fits the entire H0 series and many newer models from 2015 onward.

If your model number matches WFE540H0AB0, WEE750H0HW0, or WEC530H0DS0 (among 150+ others), you're in the right place. The element mounting pattern and electrical connections are identical across these models.

About This Replacement Part

The W10779716 is a 2,600-watt square bake element that sits beneath the removable oven bottom pan. It measures approximately 16 inches wide and connects to your oven's wiring harness through two terminal prongs at the rear. Normal wear and tear causes these elements to fail after 4-10 years — the metal coil develops weak spots from constant heating and cooling cycles, eventually burning through completely.

One owner of a four-year-old KitchenAid range found deterioration on one side of their element before it failed completely. Another customer discovered the back left corner had burned through when their oven wouldn't exceed 325 degrees. These aren't gradual failures — once the element develops a break in the coil, it stops conducting electricity entirely. You'll see uneven baking, longer preheat times (over 20 minutes), or complete failure to heat.

Compatible Whirlpool Range Models

This bake element fits these specific Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, and Jenn-Air models:

• WEC530H0DB0, WEC530H0DS0, WEC530H0DW0 — Whirlpool 5.3 cu ft ranges
• WEE745H0FS0 — Whirlpool electric range
• WEE750H0HB0, WEE750H0HV0, WEE750H0HW0 — Whirlpool 7.5 cu ft ranges
• WFE540H0AB0, WFE540H0AB1, WFE540H0AE0, WFE540H0AE1, WFE540H0AH0, WFE540H0AH1 — Whirlpool freestanding electric ranges

This is a sample of 20 models from the full compatibility list of 150+ ranges. The H0 series designation indicates these are 2015-2020 model year ranges that share identical bake element specifications.

Installation Overview

Replacing this bake element takes 15-30 minutes with just a Phillips screwdriver. The trickiest part is accessing the terminal connections at the back of the oven — you'll need to remove a terminal block cover held by two screws. One installer who'd never done appliance repair before (age 63, self-described as "scared I'd mess it up") completed the job in 30 minutes and had his wife baking a cake the same day.

Critical first step: Unplug the range completely before starting. If you have a hardwired oven, flip the breaker. Never test electrical connections with a multimeter while the appliance is plugged in.

The new element pushes through from the front and connects at the back. You'll remove the old element's three mounting screws (two at the front holding it to the oven floor, plus the cover plate), disconnect the two wire terminals at the back, then reverse the process. The replacement element might look slightly different — it won't have the small support brackets that some original elements included. You don't need to transfer those.

Testing Before You Order

You can confirm a bad bake element with a multimeter set to resistance (ohms). Unplug the oven, disconnect the element's two wire terminals, and test across the two prongs. A working element shows 15-30 ohms of resistance at room temperature (this specific W10779716 measures about 1080 ohms when new). If you get infinite resistance or no continuity, the element's burned through and needs replacement.

If you're getting some heat but not enough, that's also a failing element. Partial breaks in the coil reduce current flow before failing completely. Don't waste time troubleshooting further — visible damage or inability to reach proper temperature means replacement.

Price and Availability

The W10779716 bake element costs $43.99 and typically ships within 2 business days. That's significantly cheaper than a $200-300 service call for a repair that takes under 30 minutes. Most customers report their ovens preheat to 450°F in 12-15 minutes after installing the new element — back to factory specification.